21st May 2026 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn A Natural Starting Point It’s entirely possible to design a beautiful home by focusing on the interiors first and thinking about the garden later. In many cases, that’s exactly how projects evolve. At Decorbuddi, more than 90% of our work is rooted in interior design, and it’s where most clients naturally begin: rethinking layouts, improving flow, and creating spaces that better reflect how they live. However, what we’ve observed over time is that when the garden is at least considered early on, even at a very light-touch level, the overall result often feels more cohesive and better resolved. This isn’t about doing everything at once, or shifting focus away from the interiors, but about allowing the outside space to quietly inform key decisions inside. Flow That Extends Beyond the Walls Often, it starts with spatial flow. As we reconfigure interiors, we’re not just thinking about how rooms connect to one another, but how the home connects to the garden. The positioning of doors, the alignment of thresholds, and the natural routes in and out of the house all play a role. When these elements are considered together, movement flows and the transition between inside and out a seamless aspect of the design enhancing each element. Designing Around Real Life This naturally extends into how a home is used. Kitchens, dining areas and family spaces often have a direct relationship with the garden, particularly in homes designed for entertaining or family life. By understanding how the outdoor space might function – whether that’s dining, relaxing, or simply providing a visual backdrop- we can make more informed decisions about interior layouts. Even without a fully developed garden scheme, this awareness helps ensure the home works as a whole. Decorbuddi Interior Designers Stephanie Bailey & Jo Miller Light, Views and Atmosphere There is also a quieter, but equally important, impact on light and outlook. A garden is not just something you step into; it’s something you see and experience from within. Thinking about planting, levels or focal points early on allows us to position glazing and interior features more deliberately, maximising natural light and shaping views that enhance the atmosphere of a space. In this way, the garden becomes part of the interior experience, even when you’re indoors. A Cohesive Design Language From a design perspective, early consideration opens up opportunities for a more unified aesthetic. Materials, tones and textures can be subtly echoed – flooring that extends towards a terrace, finishes that relate to external elements, or a palette that flows naturally between the two. It’s not about matching everything exactly, but about creating a sense of continuity that makes the home feel calm and considered. Decorbuddi Interior Designer Sophie Wells and Garden Designer Jo Connolly Practicalities Worth Planning Early Alongside these design benefits, there are practical advantages that are easy to overlook. In many properties we work on in London, access is constrained, and garden materials often need to pass through the house. If structural landscaping – such as levelling a patio or forming terraces – is left until after the interiors are complete, it can introduce unnecessary risk and disruption. Addressing these elements earlier in the process can help protect finished spaces and simplify the build. Aligning Levels and Thresholds Similarly, coordinating internal floor levels with external ground levels is far easier when both are part of the same conversation. When left too late, this can result in awkward steps, compromised thresholds or drainage challenges. When considered early, it allows for those seamless transitions that clients increasingly value, where indoor and outdoor spaces feel naturally connected. : Decorbuddi Interior Designer Tracy Duncan and Garden Designer Jo Connolly Integrating the Invisible Details Another layer to this is the integration of services. Lighting, drainage, and even power for outdoor features can be aligned with the interior scheme from the outset, rather than retrofitted later. This not only leads to a more refined end result but can also avoid unnecessary cost and disruption as the project progresses. Designing with the Future in Mind Of course, not every client wants to complete their garden at the same time as their interiors, and that’s completely understandable. What we often suggest at Decorbuddi is simply developing an awareness of the garden early on – sometimes as a high-level plan that can be implemented in phases. This approach helps to future-proof the project, ensuring that when the garden is eventually realised, it feels like a natural extension of the home rather than something separate. Decorbuddi Interior Designer Jessica Jones An Interior-Led Perspective Our role, first and foremost, is to create interior spaces that look beautiful, functional well and are deeply personal to the people who live in them. When the relationship between inside and out is considered – even in a subtle way – the impact on the interior can be significant. Interiors feel fresher and more spacious, views are more impactful, and the home as a whole becomes more connected. The Decorbuddi Approach At Decorbuddi, we don’t see this as a rule, but as an opportunity. An opportunity to enhance the interior by considering the wider context in which those interiors sit. And when that happens, the results tend to speak for themselves. About Decorbuddi Decorbuddi creates thoughtful, original design that transforms the quality of everyday life. Blending expertise with a warm, flexible approach, we tailor each project to our clients’ individual needs – from focused design consultations to complete interior and garden renovations. With a London based central studio, regionally based designer team and a trusted network of skilled trades, we deliver carefully managed turnkey projects across the UK and internationally, ensuring every element works together seamlessly. Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.